2026 NFL Playoff Preview + Predictions
- Jack Larmer
- Jan 6
- 5 min read
With the 2025-26 NFL regular season officially in the books, the playoff matchups are set and ready to go. Let’s take a look at what’s on deck as Wild Card Weekend kicks off Saturday.
How we got here
While not every game this past week held too many implications on the playoff picture there were a few that set this year's playoff picture in stone. The Bucs won a huge game Saturday vs the Panthers to give them a shot to make the playoffs with a Saints win vs the Falcons, ultimately the Falcons won and the Panthers slid into the playoffs with a 8-9 record, that gives them the ⅘ matchup with the Rams. The Bills won to secure the 6 seed while the Eagles lost to grab the 3 seed. The Chargers lost to the Broncos that secured them the 7 seed and the Broncos the 1 seed. That placed the Pats in the 2nd spot. The Seahawks won the division and 1 seed in a win over the 49ers which placed them at # 6. The most important game though was Sunday night's Steelers Ravens matchup. This game was a winner move on and was incredibly entertaining. A late gain by Isaiah Likley gave Tyler Loop a very makeable 44 yard FG for the win, but drama always wins and he missed it wide right, securing the Steelers division win and playoff berth vs the 5 seeded Texans. With that the bracket is set, so lets take a peak at what is going on this weekend.
2026 Playoff Picture
To start things off both Denver and Seattle hold our #1 seed so the two of them will get bye and head into the divisional round with an extra week off.
Saturday
The first game we get is the ⅘ matchup in the NFC. The Rams will visit the 8-9 Panthers who snuck in with a Falcons win vs the Saints Sunday afternoon. I don't think there is too much to talk about. The Rams come out as 10 point favourites. Davante Adams is still looking questionable to return, but reports are stating that he is expected to be ready to go. Clearly that only helps the Rams en route to a beat down in enemy territory. Not much to deliberate here other than the Rams looking to power through to the divisional round.
The injury-riddled Packers head south to Chicago to face their rival Bears. In my opinion, this matchup heavily favors Chicago. Most people assume the Bears are the favorites, but the Packers actually opened as 1.5-point favorites. Green Bay is without Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft, with Dontayvion Wicks also potentially missing this one, while Jordan Love has not played a full game since December 14. On top of that, this will be the third meeting between these teams, which gives what may be the best play caller in the league a comfortable and familiar setup heading into Saturday night. I think the Bears win in convincing fashion.
Sunday
The first game Sunday might shape up as the best game we will get all weekend. Getting the Bills as a 6 seed doesn't really feel like a reward for finishing as the 3 seed. The Jags might be one of the most complete teams in the league and while Liam Coen is making the name he has for himself this year, the Jags are in an excellent position heading into the WC round. Now the issue is and will be Josh Allen. Allen got an extra week off to rest up an ankle injury that has been bothering him. In a year where Lamar and Mahomes are not around in the playoffs I think Josh Allen sees a clearer path to the Superbowl. I would have to agree that the Bills are 1.5 point favourites but the game is essentially a pick 'em. I think the Jags are a great team and I think their future is incredibly bright, but I have to go with Josh Allen and the Bill in a year where it feels wide open.
Another 6 vs 3 game follows up in the 430 slate. I think a lot of the public will be on the Eagles after the disaster class of a performance that the 49ers put up Saturday vs the Seahawks. I wouldn't be so sure the Eagles are a better team. Kittle will be back in full swing as will Pearsall and Juan Jennings. The Eagles offense has looked solid since Lane Johnson went down with an injury early this year and with the skill players having the roller coaster of a season that they have had, I think the 49ers open as slight favourites. We've seen this matchup before recently in the playoffs and I think the 49ers get this one. If you match everyone up I think the 49ers are in a better position here than the Eagles. The Eagles are 3.5 point favourites which is a great line for the 49ers.
This is another game that feels a lot different than why the markets tell us. The Pats opened up as 3.5 favourite, yet this feels a lot like a chance for the Pats to prove that they are a team that has earned where they are. The Chargers although spotting a 11-6 record have been an underperforming team. A lot of opinions have changed on Justin Herbert. The consistency and lack of elite performances makes this feel like a spot where Drake Maye can really prove who he is as a QB. It's simple and it's chalk but this feels like a spot where the Pats and Maye can really make some noise.
Monday
This might be the closest playoff matchup we get. A still relatively young but obviously elite Houston defense looks to take on an aging but still shows he has it qb in Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers are also getting DK Metcalf back which will help their offensive game, I just can't see a picture in my head where the Texans defense doesn't dominate this game. CJ Stroud will be placed in a tough environment and it might be hard to picture the Texans coming out on top vs the road, but if there's one thing this season has really shown us is that defense can win games. Right now the Texans are 3.5 point favourites, I think that line changed as we moved closer to the game, but it will be interesting to see where it ends us, my prediction is definitely with the Texans here.
Rocket TD Scorers
Well, the regular season is over, but my Rocket Picks aren’t done yet. I still can’t seem to hit, but why not give it a shot in the Wild Card round? If I couldn’t win in the regular season, maybe the playoffs will be my time. Here are the plays I have lined up for this week. Combine these two Rocket Picks for a 4.6x multiplier!
Kyle Monangai
Monangai has been a pleasant surprise for the Bears this year. Part of one of the league’s best RB duos, he should get plenty of carries. He had 93 and 57 yards against the Packers this season, and hopefully finds the end zone this time.
George Kittle
I’ve used Kittle before and I’m back at it. The Eagles have solid pass defense, but with CMC, Ricky Pearsall, and Juan Jennings active, Kittle should find some room to get into the end zone.
Enjoy some playoff football!
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